Drugs For Anxiety Disorder
An individual suffering from anxiety disorder suffers from severe and persistent symptoms. These symptoms affect her work and daily routine. She is required to take medication and seek counseling.
Antidepressants can help reduce anxiety. These medications work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain. panic anxiety disorder are a different treatment. These medications block noradrenaline and adrenaline, and have been proven to be effective in a variety of studies.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants have proven to be effective at relieving anxiety in up to 70% of those who take them. Different types of antidepressants are available and, as with any drug there could be negative side effects. However, the majority of these are minor and tend to diminish with treatment. Your doctor will be watching you during the initial weeks of treatment and may switch you to another type if one is not effective or has too many adverse effects.
The most popular antidepressants for treating anxiety are the SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors). These medications alter the chemicals in your body that influence your mood as well as your sleep and general feeling of well-being. They also help to manage physical symptoms, such as headaches and muscle tension. Certain antidepressants with atypical properties, such as mirtazapine (Remeron) and nefazodone (Sertraline), are useful in treating anxiety too.
Your doctor will likely prescribe antidepressants for you when you have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). These will be used in combination with psychotherapy as well as other treatments like hypnotherapy to help you get a handle on your anxiety and learn to cope with it. These medications are very effective in treating anxiety and are generally safe if used as directed.
Benzodiazepines have a strong and rapid-acting effect, but they can also cause severe adverse effects, including dizziness and problems with attention and memory. They can also trigger irritability, drowsiness and addiction. They are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in the short-term, but also for underlying issues like stress, depression and alcohol or drug abuse.
Antidepressants are considered safer than benzodiazepines and are generally easier to come off of than benzos. They do not produce the same physical dependence and withdrawal effects as benzodiazepines, however some patients may experience unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, sexual dysfunction weight gain, tremors, and dizziness. They are generally not prescribed for long-term use and are difficult to locate when you're suffering from anxiety or depression.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines help to relieve anxiety-related episodes and improve sleep. They do this by enhancing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps calm the central nervous systems. They also cause drowsiness that helps you sleep and stay asleep throughout the night. They can also cause dangerous side effects such as addiction and physical dependency. They can become more severe if they are used regularly, but not if they are taken occasionally or in small amounts.
In order to avoid addiction, benzodiazepines are usually prescribed for short-term usage (often for a few weeks or less) and are often employed in combination with other approaches to therapy like psychotherapy. They are not recommended for people suffering from mental illnesses that are severe, such as severe personality disorders or substance abuse history.
Long-term benzodiazepine use can be problematic because tolerance to the sedative effects increases quite rapidly, requiring greater and higher doses to achieve the same effect. This can be hazardous, as the brain stem depressant effect can interfere with breathing or heart rate. This can cause respiratory depression and even death. The risk of developing this complication is increased by taking benzodiazepines with other depressants, like alcohol or SSRIs.
The sedative effects of benzodiazepines can be very dangerous, especially for those suffering from kidney or liver diseases or who are susceptible or prone to seizures. Patients who are susceptible to seizures must be closely monitored.
The use of benzodiazepines over a long time period can result in physical dependence which is not the same as addiction. If you are dependent on benzodiazepines you might be experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping abruptly. This is the reason it is essential to speak with your doctor regarding the best way to taper off benzodiazepines.
People who are considering or are prescribed benzodiazepines need to be aware that they could be easily stolen from medication cabinets in the homes of friends and family members. To avoid unauthorized access, it is recommended that these medications be kept secure. Healthcare providers are aware of the dangers of benzodiazepine dependence. They can help decrease the risk by recommending a schedule for tapering off or switching to a different type of medication with a lower likelihood of dependency.
Beta-blockers
While they are more commonly used to treat heart problems, beta blockers like propranolol can be an effective medication for anxiety disorders. These medications can reduce anxiety symptoms by stopping adrenaline, the hormone that causes stress, from binding to receptors in the body. When adrenaline is not able to attach to receptors in your body, your blood pressure and heart rate will drop. These medications can also help relieve the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as sweating, racing heart, and nausea. Due to their quick effects, people usually experience a significant decrease in these physical symptoms as soon as an hour after taking their prescription.
Beta blockers are an immediate alternative to benzodiazepines and antidepressants. They work faster than these medications, which take several weeks to start working. They are an option for people who need to ease anxiety in certain situations, such before an operation. In fact, a review of the research that has been conducted on the use of propranolol in short-term doses to treat anxiety revealed that it's as effective in treating some anxiety disorders as benzodiazepines and may be less likely to trigger dependence.
However, it is important to keep in mind that beta blockers do not address the underlying causes of anxiety. They only ease your immediate physical reactions to stressors. They can be helpful for those with social anxiety or performance anxiety (stage fear) when the physical symptoms are especially acute.
It is also important to remember that these drugs are most efficient when they are part of a holistic treatment plan. Ideally, they should be used in conjunction with therapy that addresses fundamental psychological issues and lifestyle changes that cause anxiety. Talk to your doctor to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this kind of treatment or other treatments to treat anxiety-related symptoms. The goal is to be able to live a life free of anxiety symptoms.
Psychotherapy
If you suffer from an anxiety-related condition, your nervousness is more intense and lasts longer. These symptoms can impact your work and home life. Psychotherapy and medication are usually used to treat anxiety disorders. Medications may help reduce anxiety and help you get back to the things you love. The type of medication you need will depend on the level of anxiety that you are experiencing. It is possible to try different types of medications before you find one that works for you.
SSRIs are often the first drug prescribed for generalized anxiety disorder . These drugs increase levels of serotonin which is a chemical found in the brain that aids in relieving symptoms. You should notice the effects within a few weeks after beginning treatment. Some SSRI
